Photoionization detector sensor utilizing time division modes to perform separation and detection in the same physical region

A method for detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a gas diffused into a detecting region of a VOC sensor, the method comprising:

• executing an ionization phase comprising:
• exposing the gas to an ionization device creating a plurality of ionized gas molecules;
• executing a separation phase comprising:
• supplying a separation voltage to a first interdigital pole disposed within the detecting region and electrically connected to a separation voltage source;
• and
• supplying a compensation voltage to a second interdigital pole disposed within the detecting region and electrically connected to a compensation voltage source through a switch;
• disabling the ionization device upon completion of the ionization phase;
• and
• executing a detection phase comprising:
• switching the switch to electrically connect the second interdigital pole to a processing device;
• supplying a first direct current voltage to the first interdigital pole and supplying a second direct current voltage to the second interdigital pole;
• and
• determining a VOC value representative of a number of volatile organic compounds in the gas based at least in part on a number of ionized gas molecules that contact the second interdigital pole while the second interdigital pole is electrically connected to the processing device.

A computer program product for detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a gas diffused into a detecting region of a VOC sensor, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising an executable portion configured to:

• execute an ionization phase comprising:
• enabling an ionization device and creating a plurality of ionized gas molecules;
• execute a separation phase comprising:
• causing a separation voltage to be supplied to a first interdigital pole disposed within the detecting region and electrically connected to a separation voltage source;
• and
• causing a compensation voltage to be supplied to a second interdigital pole disposed within the detecting region and electrically connected to a compensation voltage source through a switch;
• disable the ionization device upon completion of the ionization phase;
• execute a detection phase comprising:
• toggling the switch to electrically connect the second interdigital pole to a processing device;
• and
• causing a first direct current voltage to be supplied to the first interdigital pole and cause a second direct current voltage to be supplied to the second interdigital pole;
• and
• determine a VOC value representative of a number of volatile organic compounds in the gas based at least in part on a number of ionized gas molecules that contact the second interdigital pole while the second interdigital pole is electrically connected to the processing device.